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Balancing parks and development

April 27, 2015

I had a call from a lady last week asking me why council was
getting rid of park in lieu of development – what was going on? We walked through the three examples of Skaha
Beach, Munson Mountain and the South Okanagan Events Centre complex. Skaha Beach
was easy to talk about since council had already abandoned the notion of
returning the zoning of 10 private properties on beachfront from park to some
sort of residential zoning. We heard at the public hearing beach frontage
should be a long-term goal and vision for the City. Since the City only owns
one of the houses in the middle, we considered the probability and costs to acquire
the remaining properties – and some residents spoke about how their property
had been passed along from generation to generation and would never be sold to
the City. The cost for the remaining lots is estimated to be over $25 million
to acquire, let alone program (you'd be shocked on how expensive just putting
irrigation and grass is). I'd be curious
to see if those who lobbied to keep the houses on Skaha as parkland would be
supportive of spending the money to acquire them. Our dilemma was, do we keep the
City-owned home or should we consider selling it if obtaining the other houses
is expensive and not realistic? Would the money be better leveraged developing
or creating parkland elsewhere in the City?

Ten years ago, Munson Mountain was a source of conflict in
the community when 30 acres was proposed to be used for a baseball sports field
complex. Since that time, the City sold off two, 10-acre parcels and the
remaining 10-acre parcel (directly behind the Penticton sign) has remained an
empty field. There are some
beautiful natural vistas and terrain that presently no one knows exists or uses, and the City is considering creating a park to house a BMX (pedal
bike) track, Mountain Bike Skills Park and open green space.

I think what we need to consider is how we can take
underutilized parcels of property throughout the City and create greater community
impact and benefit. The 27 acres at 325
Power St. – home to the South Okanagan Events Centre, Penticton Trade &
Convention Centre, Memorial Arena, Visitor Information Centre complex and Westminster
Centre – is under consideration to add
“tourist accommodation” as a permitted use under zoning. The hope is hotel
developers who have been considering Penticton in the past will see opportunity
and come to the table with a project. Since
only 30% of area has an actual building on it and most of it is pavement
anyway, you would think, “Easy peasy. What's the issue?” The far corner does
have a small baseball diamond on it, so relocation within the community's parks
system would be very important if that were proposed.

Speaking of parkland, we really should take note that the
City recently added 300 acres to park inventory with Three Blind Mice in the
Riddle Road area, partnering with community groups to create a recognized destination
for cycling, hiking and disc golf. Another reclaimed greenspace has been Marina
Way Lookout – a new pocket park with some of the best views of Okanagan Lake
you can find. We've added 3 dog parks over the last few years, greening under-utilized
spaces so residents and their furry friends can enjoy the outdoors. We've also
created more amenities in existing parks, with the fun and interactive Discovery
Park at Skaha Lake, and we recently approved the SS Sicamous master plan that
will enhance the park and public spaces around Okanagan Lake. Penticton's
beaches, KVR trail system and Channel parkway are not included in our official
parks inventory, yet have some of the highest usage and offer some of the best
recreational value.

Council is committed to the importance and value parks bring
to our neighbourhoods and the greater community. Is it possible to create
development that will enhance, entice and compliment the park experience? Council
is exploring that concept.

An open house will be held about the SOEC complex zoning
amendment on Thursday, April 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. in Room 3 of the Penticton
Community Centre. For more information, visit this page.